Before we get our hands on a copy of Microsoft’s and 343 Industries highly anticipated outing for Master Chief and Cortana on November the 6th, we will be treated to a web series like no other. Spread out over five episodes and running for approximately fifteen minutes a piece, Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is a live action web series set in the Halo universe.

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn will tell the story of a young cadet aboard the UNSC Infinity who is inspired by the Master Chief, and is set to follow them on their journey through the ranks on the USNC Infinity. This new character is also said to be in the Halo 4 plot, which ties in nicely with what Frank O’Connor (franchise development director at 343 Industries) had to say about the series.

“We needed a way to ensure there was a way for people to get on board this universe without feeling intimidated.Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is an origins story that teaches you about a lot of different facets of the universe.”

Microsoft have said that this project represents “the largest investment” the company has made in live action to date. The series will be exclusive to Machinima and on Halo Waypoint in the weeks leading up to Halo 4′s launch. Once the series has been aired through Machinima and Halo Waypoint, Microsoft are hinting at bundling the series and pushing it out to new platforms, so a future Blu-Ray/DVD release might be on the cards.

The Director and cast listings are under tight wraps but all will be reveled at this years Comic-Con in San Diego in July. So until then all we have is this tiny picture to stare at, and stare at it we will.